Sal Abruscato is probably best known for his stint in TYPE O NEGATIVE, before being replaced by Johnny Kelly in 1994. He was also in LIFE OF AGONY for their only worthwhile album, "River Runs Red." In both of these bands he was a drummer, and a talented one at that, so it came as a surprise that in Abruscato's new project, A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH, in addition to the drums he also plays guitar and sings!

Much has been made about this being a rip-off of WHITE ZOMBIE and Rob Zombie's solo work, but aside from the guitar tone and the somewhat monotone vocals, I think the comparisons end there. If anything, it borrows greatly from ALICE IN CHAINS; many of the songs are depressing and deal with death and drug addiction. The thing is, this is probably the closest thing I've heard to capturing the spirit of ALICE IN CHAINS' "Dirt," moreso even than the self-titled album ALICE IN CHAINS released several years later.

The songs mostly feature deep, heavy and slow guitar riffs that are given room to breathe and accentuate the dreariness of the vocals and lyrics. When I'm in the right mood for this type of music, it really hits the spot.  The songs manage to consistently create a sorrowful atmosphere without conforming to genre stereotypes or using the same tricks over and over. All of this is capped off with the closing "Die Alone," which is an epic climax that perfectly encapsulates the air and feeling found throughout.

This is a definite diamond in the rough. Even though many songs have been available to download on the band's site for a while now, this is the first time the entire album is seeing an official release. If they can recreate this feeling and atmosphere in a live setting, and more importantly on the follow-up, I really think Abruscato can turn this project into something long-term. Either way, when I am in the right mood and frame of mind, I enjoy the hell out of "And Hell Will Follow Me" and it will occupy a space in my playlist for a long time to come.